cellular coverage on the AT

[yaam58]

Hi

coming from aboard , need to know which cellular company give the beast coverage in the AT area ?

thanks

[lwhikerchris]

verizon supposedly

[Turk6177]

I have used Verizon very successfully as far north as the end of the Smokeys. I am sure it is still good after that, but I just haven't been that far yet.

[Slo-go'en]

Just buy a disposable Trackfone when you get here. For as little as $20 you can get a functional smartphone and another $20 gives you 3 months of service. Add data if you need it for an additional $15/ Gb.

[Christoph]

Verizon seemed to be the popular one with the most service in my group I hiked with.

[Ckb81]

Verizon, straight talk (using Verizon towers), sprint, tracfone... in order from most to least useful


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bamboo bob]

In towns ATT worked fine. On trail it's off so it doesn't matter. If your using Guthook it also doesn't matter.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Verizon. If you want to go with Walmart straight talk (no contract) AND use Verizon towers, your phone has to be CDMA, not GSM. There are many to choose from, from simple phones to smart phones. You can get a Samsung Galaxy 4 CDMA smart phone for $99 and use it on straight talk while you're here in the US, then sell it when you're done using it.

https://get.straighttalk.com/bring-y...FZBCAQodO3wGbg

[Engine]

In towns ATT worked fine. On trail it's off so it doesn't matter. If your using Guthook it also doesn't matter.

Occasionally the need to call for a shuttle, reservations, or in a worst case scenario...help, from the trail means we use Verizon now. We tried AT&T for a couple LASH's and it was a complete failure when compared to others who used Verizon.

[soumodeler]

For the southern quarter, Verizon hands down has the best coverage.

[bamboo bob]

Occasionally the need to call for a shuttle, reservations, or in a worst case scenario...help, from the trail means we use Verizon now. We tried AT&T for a couple LASH's and it was a complete failure when compared to others who used Verizon.

Yes, very occasionally I had to wait until I was at a high point to get a signal. I wouldn't all that a complete failure. That was in 2013 so perhaps they tore down some towers.

[Engine]

That was 2013 from Fontana Dam south...

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[Sandy of PA]

I have been using a cheap Tracphone 3G flip phone for the last 6 years on the trail. I have not done half of New Hampshire or any of Maine, but it has worked from mountaintops on the rest. I have only had 2 days that I could not get a signal to call home. $20 and no worry if some thing happens to it.

[Slo-go'en]

I've used my TracFone along most the AT with no trouble, except the places no one had service because there was none to be had. In the more remote locations your best off high up on a ridge, but that's mostly NC and Maine. Vermont can be real iffy since they don't like to see cell towers in that state.

[Don H]

Verizon. Very few places on the AT where you can't get a signal out for at least a text message as long at you're up on a ridge or mountain top. Many places down in the gaps where there is no signal no matter what carrier you use.

[rafe]

Verizon overall though not everywhere.

[HelveticHiker]

Just buy a disposable Trackfone when you get here. For as little as $20 you can get a functional smartphone and another $20 gives you 3 months of service. Add data if you need it for an additional $15/ Gb.

Please help: I'm also from abroad and very interested in this topic....but whats a Trackphone? Google was no big help.....

[Ckb81]

Please help: I'm also from abroad and very interested in this topic....but whats a Trackphone? Google was no big help.....

Tracfone is a brand of cheap phone and service in the states. It's a common "burner" phone. The coverage is pretty good and great for the price. They are available at many retailers here (Walmart, Dollar General, etc.)

http://www.tracfone.com/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HelveticHiker]

[QUOTE=Ckb81;2128886]Tracfone is a brand of cheap phone and service in the states. It's a common "burner" phone. The coverage is pretty good and great for the price. They are available at many retailers here (Walmart, Dollar General, etc.)

http://www.tracfone.com/


Thank you very much, Ckb81 - and would you recommend Tracfone? Can I go just in any Walmart and get a phone from them? Does "prepaid service" also exist in the U.S. or do I need to have a contract?

[Ckb81]

[QUOTE=HelveticHiker;2128890]

Tracfone is a brand of cheap phone and service in the states. It's a common "burner" phone. The coverage is pretty good and great for the price. They are available at many retailers here (Walmart, Dollar General, etc.)

http://www.tracfone.com/


Thank you very much, Ckb81 - and would you recommend Tracfone? Can I go just in any Walmart and get a phone from them? Does "prepaid service" also exist in the U.S. or do I need to have a contract?

I would recommend it. As far as I know they don't offer accurate gps information but work fine for other typical cell phone needs. You would be able to purchase a phone and prepaid service at any Walmart.

Hope that helps!

:-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk